Dorothy Teresa (Henkel) Ege of Mendota passed away at the age of 78 on March 7, 2012, in Champaign from renal failure and cancer. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Holy Cross Church, Mendota, with the Rev. Gary Blake officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation is 3-7 p.m. Friday at Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. Dorothy came into this world on May 17, 1933, in Sublette to Henry and Leona (Fischer) Henkel. She had seven siblings. She married Paul C. Ege in June 1955 in St. Mary's, West Brooklyn and they had one daughter, Patricia. She valued her extended family, including her husband Paul's family throughout her life, especially most recently as she faced her illnesses. In 1952 Dorothy began her banking career as a teller at First State Bank in Mendota. She advanced to bookkeeper, cashier and operations officer. In 1983 she was promoted to senior vice president, a position she held until her retirement after 46 years of service. Dorothy was the first woman at the bank to achieve an executive position and to serve as a member of the board of directors. On behalf of her and her husband, she supported many charities and interests, including Cunningham Children's Home (her daughter's place of employment); St. Bede (her husband's place of employment); Holy Cross Church, and several causes and interests. She enjoyed traveling throughout her life with her immediate family and later with family and friends. She enjoyed her pets, many local sports and was the biggest fan of the Mendota girls softball team in the 1970s- 80s. She cheered for the Cubbies, watched college and pro basketball, gaming and spending time with her grandson. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia of Champaign; one grandson, Joel; three sisters Lucille Michel of Aurora, Arlene Schmitt of Mendota and Betty Klein of Cherry; and two brothers, Ray (Marilyn) Henkel of West Brooklyn and Bill (Nancy) Henkel of Peru. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2001, one brother, Clement Henkel; and one sister, Marian Bulfer. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Cunningham Children's Home or the American Cancer Society. All memorials can be sent to 1301 N. Cunningham Ave., Urbana, IL 61801. Pallbearers will be Dean Ege, Gene Ege, Ron Schmitt, Mark Henkel, Doug Henkel and Jeff Klein.